Portable radio communication apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention aims at providing a portable radio communication apparatus in which forming of a message is easy. The portable radio communication apparatus is provided with a novel pre-message memory formed of a ROM or the like stored in which are fixed messages each consisting of fixed statements or fixed words as “CALL OFFICE AT XX:XX”. A transmitting message may be readily formed by selecting any of the fixed messages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to portable radio communicationapparatus such as a digital mobile phone having a two-way messagetransmitting/receiving function for use mainly in the filed of mobilecommunication.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] As an additional function for mobile phones, the SMS (ShortMessage Service) transmitting function in two-way message transmissionis specified in GSM03.40 of GSM (Global System for Mobilecommunications) standard of the digital mobile phone standard whichconstitutes one of the European Telecommunications Standards (ETS). TheSMS functions to transmit a message of a maximum of 160 charactersthrough a wireless circuit in opposite directions.

[0005] Construction of a conventional portable radio communicationapparatus will be described below with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the construction of a portable radiocommunication apparatus having a conventional two-way messagetransmitting function. FIG. 20 is a front view showing an externalappearance of the portable radio communication apparatus of FIG. 19.

[0006] Referring to FIG. 19, the apparatus includes: an antenna 1 fortransmitting/receiving a radio frequency signal; a radio section 2 foreffecting a frequency conversion to a radio frequency or, for example,to an intermediate frequency; a modulator-demodulator section 3operating for example in GMSK (Gaussian Filtered Minimum Shift Keying)modulating/demodulating method; a control section 4 having such as CPU,ROM, RAM for controlling the apparatus as a whole; a message memory 5such as of RAM for temporarily storing a transmitting/received message;an operation section 6; a display section 7 such as of liquid crystal; asound processing section 8; a microphone 9; and a speaker 10.

[0007] In FIG. 20, Numerals 6 a, 6 b and 6 c denote a function keysection, a 10-key section and a volume key, respectively.

[0008] Further, in FIG. 20, the function key section 6 a includes: PWRkey for performing switching on/off of power supply; STO key serving asa registering key for abbreviated dialing phone numbers; FCN key servingas a function key capable of calling various functions by a combinationwith numeral keys; END key for terminating a communication; P keyserving as “one-touch” dialing key for an instant originating of call toalready registered phone numbers; RCL key serving as a calling key forabbreviated dialing phone numbers; CLR key serving as a clearing key;and SEND key serving as a transmitting/receiving key. The 10-key section6 b includes keys for Arabic numerals of 1, 2, 3, 9, 0, an asterisk (*)key and a sharp (#) key, the numeral keys and the like serving also ascharacter keys (A, B, C,) as shown when operating in a character inputmode. However, the numerical key “0” corresponds to an operator call andis incapable of character input.

[0009] Operation of the conventional radio communication apparatus willbe described below. A received message signal of SMS enters the controlsection 4 for its decoding from the antenna 1 through the radio section2 and modulator-demodulator section 3. It is then displayed as a messageby the display section 7 and may be recorded at the message memory 5 byan operation of the operation section 6.

[0010] A transmitting message signal of SMS may be formed by inputtingone character at a time by means of the 10-key section 6 b using thealphabet of A, B, C at the 10-key section 6 b while confirming it on thedisplay section 7. Upon a transmitting operation (SEND key) at theoperation section 6, the formed message is encoded at the controlsection 4 and is then transmitted from the antenna 1 through themodulator-demodulator section 3 and radio section 2.

[0011] In forming a transmitting message with the conventional portableradio communication apparatus as described above, it has been necessaryto input one character at a time through the operation section 6. Forthis reason, there is a problem of inconvenience that inputting of onecharacter at a time is required even for the messages which are formedby using identical words.

[0012] Another problem is that, since only the English alphabet isindicated on the operation section 6, inputting by other languagescannot be performed.

[0013] In receiving a message, there is a problem that, while thereceived message is read as it is displayed on the display section 7, itis difficult to be read if the number of characters that may bedisplayed on the display section 7 is small.

[0014] Further, if the receiving side is absent, a problem ofinconvenience occurs in case of an emergency, since no response will bereceived by the party originating the message and no transfer will bemade.

[0015] Furthermore, there is a problem that it is impossible to find outwhen the message was received or originated, since no function isprovided for concurrently recording the time of receiving andoriginating at the time of receiving/transmitting a message.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] To solve the above described problems, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide a portable radio communication apparatus inwhich a transmitting message may be readily formed.

[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide aportable radio communication apparatus in which inputting by a languageother than the English language is possible.

[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide aportable radio communication apparatus in which the content of areceived message may be easily perceived even when the number ofcharacters that may be displayed on a display section is small.

[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide aportable radio communication apparatus in which automatic answering orautomatic transferring in case of users absence is possible.

[0020] It is another object of the present invention to provide aportable radio communication apparatus in which the time oforiginating/receiving a call is readily identified.

[0021] A portable radio communication apparatus according to the presentinvention comprises:

[0022] an antenna for transmitting/receiving a radio frequency messagesignal;

[0023] a radio/modulator-demodulator section for demodulating a receivedradio frequency message signal by converting its frequency and formodulating a transmitting message signal to effect its frequencyconversion into a radio frequency;

[0024] a message memory for storing transmitting/received messages;

[0025] a display section for displaying the transmitting/receivedmessages;

[0026] a pre-message memory for previously storing a plurality of fixedmessages;

[0027] an operation section; and

[0028] a control section for selecting one of the plurality of fixedmessages stored in the pre-message memory by an operation of theoperation section while causing it to be displayed on the displaysection to complete a desired message by adding another message theretoand for transmitting the desired message.

[0029] Accordingly, a desired message may be readily formed.

[0030] A portable radio communication apparatus according to the presentinvention comprises:

[0031] an antenna for transmitting/receiving a radio frequency messagesignal;

[0032] a radio/modulator-demodulator section for demodulating a receivedradio frequency message signal by converting its frequency and formodulating a transmitting message signal to effect its frequencyconversion into a radio frequency;

[0033] a message memory for storing transmitting/received messages;

[0034] a display section for displaying the transmitting/receivedmessages;

[0035] an alphabet memory for previously storing a plurality ofalphabets of languages;

[0036] an operation section; and

[0037] a control section for selecting and confirming one of theplurality of language names of the alphabets stored in the alphabetmemory while displaying them on the display section by an operation ofthe operation section.

[0038] Accordingly, a language other than the English language may beused on the apparatus.

[0039] A portable radio communication apparatus according to the presentinvention comprises:

[0040] an antenna for transmitting/receiving a radio frequency messagesignal;

[0041] a radio/modulator-demodulator section for demodulating a receivedradio frequency message signal by converting its frequency and formodulating a transmitting message signal to effect its frequencyconversion into a radio frequency;

[0042] a message memory for storing transmitting/received messages;

[0043] a display section for displaying the transmitting/receivedmessages;

[0044] a message sound converting data memory for storing informationnecessary for a conversion into sound of a received message;

[0045] a sound processing section for outputting from a speaker thereceived message which has been converted into a sound;

[0046] an operation section; and

[0047] a control section for selecting one of the received messages andfor transferring it to the message sound converting data memory by anoperation of the operation section.

[0048] Accordingly, the content of a received message may be readilyperceived.

[0049] A portable radio communication apparatus according to the presentinvention comprises:

[0050] an antenna for transmitting/receiving a radio frequency messagesignal;

[0051] a radio/modulator-demodulator section for demodulating a receivedradio frequency message signal by converting its frequency and formodulating a transmitting message signal to effect its frequencyconversion into a radio frequency;

[0052] a message memory for storing transmitting/received messages;

[0053] a display section for displaying the transmitting/receivedmessages;

[0054] an automatic answering message memory for storing registered calloriginator IDs and response message corresponding to the IDs;

[0055] an operation section; and

[0056] a control section for selecting an automatic answering in case ofusers absence by an operation of the operation section and fortransmitting the answering message corresponding to a registered calloriginator ID when a match occurs between a call originator ID in thereceived message and the registered call originator ID in the automaticanswering message memory.

[0057] Accordingly, it is possible in case of users absence to respondto the party at the other end of communication.

[0058] A portable radio communication apparatus according to the presentinvention comprises:

[0059] an antenna for transmitting/receiving a radio frequency messagesignal;

[0060] a radio/modulator-demodulator section for demodulating a receivedradio frequency message signal by converting its frequency and formodulating a transmitting message signal to effect its frequencyconversion into a radio frequency;

[0061] a message memory for storing transmitting/received messages;

[0062] a display section for displaying the transmitting/receivedmessages;

[0063] a timer section for measuring the current time; and

[0064] a control section for concurrently storing as a reception timedata the current time read out from the timer section when storing areceived message to the message memory and for concurrently displayingthe reception time data when displaying the received message on thedisplay section.

[0065] Accordingly, it is easy to know the reception time of a receivedmessage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a portableradio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention;

[0067]FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention;

[0068]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of a portableradio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the presentinvention;

[0069]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of Embodiment 2 of thepresent invention;

[0070]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of a portableradio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the presentinvention;

[0071]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of Embodiment 3 of thepresent invention;

[0072]FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the construction of a portableradio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the presentinvention;

[0073]FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of Embodiment 4 of thepresent invention;

[0074]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the construction of a portableradio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the presentinvention;

[0075]FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of Embodiment 5 ofthe present invention;

[0076]FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the construction of a portableradio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the presentinvention;

[0077]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of Embodiment 6 ofthe present invention;

[0078]FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the construction of a portableradio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the presentinvention;

[0079]FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of Embodiment 7 ofthe present invention;

[0080]FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the construction of a portableradio communication apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the presentinvention;

[0081]FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation at the time ofreceiving of Embodiment 8 of the present invention;

[0082]FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation at the time oftransmitting of Embodiment 8 of the present invention;

[0083]FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation at the time oftransmitting of Embodiment 8 of the present invention;

[0084]FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the construction of aconventional portable radio communication apparatus; and

[0085]FIG. 20 is a front view showing the external appearance of aconventional portable radio communication apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0086] Embodiment 1

[0087] The construction of Embodiment 1 of the present invention will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagramshowing the construction of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here,the external appearance of the portable radio communication apparatusaccording to Embodiment 1 is substantially identical to the conventionalapparatus as shown in FIG. 20. The same can be said with respect to allthe embodiments hereinbelow. It should be noted that like numerals inthe drawings denote like or corresponding component parts.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 1, a portable radio communication apparatusaccording to Embodiment 1 comprises: an antenna 1 fortransmitting/receiving a radio frequency signal; a radio section 2 foreffecting a frequency conversion into a radio frequency or, for example,into an intermediate frequency; a modulator-demodulator section 3operating for example in GMSK modulating/demodulating method; a controlsection 4 having such as CPU, ROM, RAM for controlling the apparatus asa whole; a message memory 5 such as of RAM for temporarily storingtransmitting/received messages; an operation section 6; a displaysection 7 such as of liquid crystal; a sound processing section 8; amicrophone 9; a speaker 10; and a pre-message memory 12 for storingfixed messages.

[0089] The above operation section 6 includes a function key section 6a, a 10-key section 6 b and a volume key 6 c.

[0090] Further, the above described function key section 6 a includes:PWR key for performing switching on/off of power supply; STO key servingas a registering key for abbreviated dialing phone numbers; FCN keyserving as a function key capable of calling various functions by acombination with numeral keys; END key for terminating a communication;P key serving as “one-touch” dialing key for an instant originating ofcall to already registered phone numbers; RCL key serving as a callingkey for abbreviated dialing phone numbers; CLR key serving as a clearingkey; and SEND key serving as a transmitting/receiving key. The abovedescribed 10-key section 6 b includes keys for the numerals of 1, 2, 3,9, 0, an asterisk (*) key and a sharp (#) key, the numeric keys and thelike serving also as character keys for an alphabet when operating in acharacter input mode.

[0091] The pre-message memory 12 comprises such as a ROM for previouslystoring fixed messages each consisting of fixed statement or fixed wordssuch as “CALL OFFICE AT XX:XX”.

[0092] In Embodiment 1, standardized messages consisting of fixedstatements or fixed words which are frequently used in ordinarysituations are previously stored in the pre-message memory 12. The usercan readily form a desired message by a small number of times of keyoperation by selecting a fixed message while displaying it on thedisplay section 7 by means of an operation of the operation section 6.

[0093] Operation of Embodiment 1 will be described below with referenceto FIG. 2. It should be noted that, since its fundamental operation suchas the two-way message transmitting/receiving operation is identical tothe conventional apparatus and thus will not be described below. Thesame can be said to the other embodiments thereafter.

[0094] A case will be described below of forming and transmitting, forexample, a transmitting message “CALL OFFICE AT 03:00”.

[0095] At step 30, upon an operation of the FCN key in the operationsection 6, the control section 4 selects “read fixed message” whicheffects a read-out of fixed messages from the pre-message memory 12. Atstep 31, the control section 4 sequentially reads out the fixed messageswithin the pre-message memory 12 to the screen of the display section 7by an operation of the volume key 6 c in the operation section 6.

[0096] At step 32, the control section 4 then selects “CALL OFFICE ATXX:XX” from the fixed messages upon an operation of the END key in theoperation section 6. The control section 4 then at step 33 moves aninput position (cursor position) to the leading position of XX:XX uponan operation of the volume key 6 c in the operation section 6. Thecontrol section 4 at step 34 then inputs 03:00 to XX:XX by an operationof the numeral keys in the operation section. In this manner, a message“CALL OFFICE AT 03:00” is complete at step 35. The control section 4then transmits this message by an operation of the SEND key in theoperation section 6.

[0097] The portable radio communication apparatus according toEmbodiment 1 has a two-way message transmitting/receiving function and,in addition, has the pre-message memory 12 in which a plurality ofcharacter strings are previously stored. Since any of the plurality ofcharacter strings may be selected and transmitted as a transmittingmessage as it is or in a partially added or corrected manner, it ispossible to readily form a desired transmitting message.

[0098] Embodiment 2

[0099] The construction of Embodiment 2 of the present invention willnow be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagramshowing the construction of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 3, a portable radio communication apparatusaccording to Embodiment 2 comprises: an antenna 1; a radio section 2; amodulator-demodulator section 3; a control section 4; a message memory5; an operation section 6; a display section 7; a sound processingsection 8; a microphone 9; a speaker 10; and a pre-message memory 13formed of a RAM capable of maintaining its content by means of a battery14.

[0101] The above operation section 6 includes a function key section 6a, a 10-key section 6 b and a volume key 6 c.

[0102] By providing the above described pre-message memory 13, the useris able to form and register fixed messages (for example a name ofcompany as “MELCO”) of ones own in addition to the previously determinedmessages, by combining fixed statements or fixed words. A desiredmessage may be formed more readily and with less number of times of keyoperation.

[0103] Operation of Embodiment 2 will now be described with reference toFIG. 4. A case will be described below for example of forming a messageof the company name “MELCO”.

[0104] At step 40, the control section 4 selects “message forming” uponan operation of FCN key. At step 41, when the numeral key “5” is pressedonce, the control section 4 selects the character “M”. Thereafter, atsteps 42 to 45, the control section 4 selects: a character “E” when thenumeral key “2” is pressed two times; a character “L” when the numeralkey “4” is pressed three times; a character when the numeral key “1” ispressed three times; and a character “0” when the numeral key “5” ispressed three times.

[0105] In steps 46 to 48, the message “MELCO” is complete and thecontrol section 4 registers the message to the pre-message memory 13 bymeans of an operation of the END key.

[0106] Embodiment 3

[0107] The construction of Embodiment 3 of the present invention willnow be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a block diagramshowing the construction of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 5, a portable radio communication apparatusaccording to Embodiment 3 comprises: an antenna 1; a radio section 2; amodulator-demodulator section 3; a control section 4; a message memory5; an operation section 6; a display section 7; a sound processingsection 8; a microphone 9; a speaker 10; an alphabet memory 15 formed ofa ROM or the like storing a multi-lingual alphabet; and a languageselection operation key 16.

[0109] The above operation section 6 includes a function key section 6a, a 10-key section 6 b and a volume key 6 c. The above describedlanguage selection key 16 may be provided as an addition, for example,to the function key section 6 a.

[0110] In the conventional apparatus, since only the keys for theEnglish alphabet such as the 10-key section 6 b shown in FIG. 20 areprovided, its operation may be effected only in the English language. Inareas such as Europe where a multiple of languages are used, however, adifferent alphabetical notation exists for each language and itsselection is required. Provided thus in Embodiment 3 are the alphabetmemory 15 storing a multi-lingual alphabet for the languages of French,German, Russian, Italian, Greek and Latin, and the language selectionoperation key 16. It is thereby possible to readily select any of aplurality of languages.

[0111] Operation of Embodiment 3 will be described below with referenceto FIG. 6.

[0112] At step 50, the control section 4 selects “multilingual selectionfunction” upon an operation of the language selection operation key 16.At step 51, the control section 4 then selects by an operation of thevolume key 6 c the name of a selected language from the names oflanguages displayed on the screen of the display section 7 as “French,German, Russian, Italian, Greek, Latin”. It is also possible thatselection be made by an operation of the language selection operationkey 16.

[0113] Next, at step 52, the control section 4 confirms the selection byan operation of the END key. At step 53, the section of memorycorresponding to the selected language of the alphabet memory 15 storingthe multi-lingual alphabet is to be used at the time of inputting bycharacter. In other words, when, for example, the Greek language(character) is selected and the numeral key “1” is pressed once, an “α”is displayed on the display section 7 instead of an “A”.

[0114] Since, with Embodiment 3, one of the alphabets of a plurality oflanguages may be selected, a language other than the English languagemay be used. It should be noted that, instead of additionally providingthe language selection operation key 16, a combination of existing keysmay be used as the language selection operation key. For example, thelanguage selection operation key may be formed by a combination of FCNkey and numeral keys.

[0115] Embodiment 4

[0116] The construction of Embodiment 4 of the present invention willnow be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a block diagramshowing the construction of Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 7, a portable radio communication apparatusaccording to Embodiment 4 comprises: an antenna 1; a radio section 2; amodulator-demodulator section 3; a control section 4; a message memory5; an operation section 6; a display section 7; a sound processingsection 8; a microphone 9; a speaker 10; an alphabet memory 15 formed ofa ROM or the like storing a multi-lingual alphabet; a language selectionoperation key 16; and an alphabet symbol selection key 17.

[0118] The above operation section 6 includes a function key section 6a, a 10-key section 6 b and a volume key 6 c. The above describedlanguage selection key 16 and alphabet symbol selection key 17 may beprovided as additions, for example, to the function key section 6 a.

[0119] In Embodiment 4, in order to facilitate not only the languageselection but also the selection of characters of the selected language,the alphabet symbol selection key 17 is provided to make possible apeculiar character selection for each language.

[0120] Operation of Embodiment 4 will now be described with reference toFIG. 8. A case will be described below for example of forming a Greekcharacter string “α β γ”.

[0121] At step 60, the control section 4 selects a desired language suchas the Greek language by an operation of the language selectionoperation key 16 and then enters “character input mode” by an operationof the alphabet symbol selection key 17. Next, at step 61, the controlsection 4 displays a character string such as “α β γ. . . ”corresponding to the selected language in a row at the lower portion ofthe screen frame of the display section 7. Next, at step 62, a desiredcharacter “α” is selected by an operation of the volume key (cursor key)6 c. Next, at step 63, the control section 4 confirms this by anoperation of the END key.

[0122] Similarly, in steps 64 to 68, the control section 4 selects adesired character “β” by an operation of the volume key 6 c and confirmsit by an operation of the END key. Further, the control section 4selects a desired character “γ” by an operation of the volume key 6 cand confirms it by an operation of the END key. A Greek character string“α β γ” is thus complete. In this manner, characters may be readilyselected to form a word or message.

[0123] In Embodiment 4, a message of a language other than the Englishlanguage may readily be formed. It should be noted that, instead ofadditionally providing the language selection operation key 16 andalphabet symbol selection key 17, a combination of existing keys may beused as the language selection operation key and alphabet symbolselection key. For example, the language selection operation key andalphabet symbol selection key may be formed by a combination of FCN keyand numeral keys.

[0124] Embodiment 5

[0125] The construction of Embodiment 5 of the present invention willnow be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a block diagramshowing the construction of Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

[0126] Referring to FIG. 9, a portable radio communication apparatusaccording to Embodiment 5 comprises: an antenna 1; a radio section 2; amodulator-demodulator section 3; a control section 4; a message memory5; an operation section 6; a display section 7; a sound processingsection 8; a microphone 9; a speaker 10; an alphabet memory 15 formed ofa ROM or the like storing a multi-lingual alphabet; an alphabet symbolselection key 17; and an IC card interface section 18 capable ofmounting an ID card 19 such as an IC card.

[0127] The above operation section 6 includes a function key section 6a, a 10-key section 6 b and a volume key 6 c. The above describedalphabet symbol selection key 17 may be provided as an addition, forexample, to the function key section 6 a. Further, the above describedIC card interface section 18 may be provided for example on a side orback surface of the apparatus.

[0128] In a system such as GSM using the subscriber ID card 19 in whichits home system is recorded, it is possible to automatically select alanguage based on the nationality of such home system. Therefore, inEmbodiment 5, the IC card interface 18 is provided on the apparatus.

[0129] Operation of Embodiment 5 will now be described with reference toFIG. 10.

[0130] In steps 70 to 71, when the subscriber ID card 19 has beenmounted to the IC card interface section 18, the control section 4 readsout a home system information within the subscriber ID card 19 throughthe IC card interface section 18.

[0131] Next, at step 72, the control section 4 collates the read homesystem information by a known home system information versus anationality management table which is located within an internal memory.Next, at step 73, the control section 4 automatically executes alanguage selection based on the nationality information obtained by thecollation. The control section 4 then informs the user by the displaysection 7 of the selected language. If, for example, the nationalityinformation is related to Greek, the fact that the Greek language hasbeen selected is displayed on the display section 7. Accordingly, thelanguage of the user who owns the ID card 19 is automatically selected,thereby achieving simpler operation and easier handling of theapparatus.

[0132] In Embodiment 5, since a desired language is automaticallyselected, selecting operation of the language is unnecessary and it iseasy to form a message in a desired language.

[0133] Embodiment 6

[0134] The construction of Embodiment 6 of the present invention willnow be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a block diagramshowing the construction of Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

[0135] Referring to FIG. 11, a portable radio communication apparatusaccording to Embodiment 6 comprises: an antenna 1; a radio section 2; amodulator-demodulator section 3; a control section 4; a message memory5; an operation section 6; a display section 7; a sound processingsection 8; a microphone 9; a speaker 10; a message sound converting datamemory 20 for storing necessary information for converting a receivedmessage into a sound; and a message sound output starting key 21.

[0136] The above operation section 6 includes a function key section 6a, a 10-key section 6 b and a volume key 6 c. The above describedmessage sound output starting key 21 may be provided as an addition, forexample, to the function key section 6 a.

[0137] If the number of characters which may be displayed on the displaysection 7 is small, it may be difficult to comprehend a receivedmessage. In other words, if the received message is longer than thenumber of characters which may be displayed on the display section 7,for example, when the received message consists of 160 characters whilethe display section is of 20 characters, it is impossible to read theentire message without scrolling the screen. Thus, in Embodiment 6, themessage sound converting data memory 20 is connected to the controlsection 4 and the sound processing section 8.

[0138] Accordingly, the control section 4, upon an operation of themessage sound output starting key 21, provides notation data of thereceived message stored in the message memory 5 to the message soundconverting data memory 20. Thereby, as each notation data is convertedinto a sound data and is delivered to the sound processing section 8, itis reproduced as a sound message from the speaker 10. It is thus easy toknow the content of the received message even when it is a long message.

[0139] Operation of Embodiment 6 will now be described with reference toFIG. 12.

[0140] At step 80, the control section 4 selects “display receivedmessage” by an operation of the FCN key. Next, at step 81, the controlsection 4 selects the received message to be read out from the messagememory 5 by an operation of the volume key 6 c. Next, in steps 82 to 83,the control section 4, upon an operation of the message sound outputstarting key 21, transfers notation data of the selected receivedmessage within the message memory 5 to the message sound converting datamemory 20.

[0141] At step 84, the control section 4 converts the notational datainto a sound data by means of table conversion at the message soundconverting data memory 20. Next, at step 85, the sound data is decodedby the sound processing section 8 and is output from the speaker 10 as asound.

[0142] Embodiment 7

[0143] The construction of Embodiment 7 of the present invention willnow be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a block diagramshowing the construction of Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

[0144] Referring to FIG. 13, a portable radio communication apparatusaccording to Embodiment 7 comprises: an antenna 1; a radio section 2; amodulator-demodulator section 3; a control section 4; a message memory5; an operation section 6; a display section 7; a sound processingsection 8; a microphone 9; a speaker 10; and an automatic answeringmessage memory 22 formed of RAM or the like and storing answeringmessage and/or address for transfer.

[0145] The above operation section 6 includes a function key section 6a, a 10-key section 6 b and a volume key 6 c.

[0146] If a message has been automatically received in case of usersabsence, no response will be made to the party at the other end ofcommunication though the received message is stored to the messagememory 5. Thus, in Embodiment 7, the automatic answering message memory22 is provided, which stores answering message and/or transfer addresscorresponding to ID.

[0147] If a match occurs upon a collation between the ID in a receivedmessage and a destination ID for each answering message stored in theautomatic answering message memory 22, the control section 4automatically answers by reading out the answering message. Further, bystoring a transfer address to the automatic answering message memory 22instead of an answering message, the received message may beautomatically transferred.

[0148] Operation of Embodiment 7 of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 14.

[0149] At step 90, upon an operation of the FCN key, the control section4 selects “automatic answering message forming function”. Next, at step91, the control section 4 forms an answering message or transfer addressby an operation of the numeral keys, etc. Next, at step 92, by anoperation of the numeral keys, etc., the control section 4 inputs aregistered call originator ID to which a designated answering isdesired. Next, at step 93, the control section 4 stores the formedanswering message or transfer address and the relevant registered calloriginator ID to the automatic answering message memory 22 by anoperation of the END key.

[0150] At step 94, upon an operation of the FCN key, the control section4 selects “automatic answering in case of users absence” by which anautomatic response is made when the user is absent. Next, in steps 95 to96, upon receiving a message, the control section 4 collates the calloriginator ID in the received message with the registered calloriginator ID in the automatic answering message memory 22.

[0151] At step 97, if the IDs match each other, the control section 4reads out the relevant answering message from the automatic answeringmessage memory 22 and automatically transmits it to the originatingparty of the above message. Alternatively, if the transfer address isregistered, the control section 4 transfers the received message to thetransfer address.

[0152] At step 98, if the IDs do not match, the control section 4 doesnot effect an automatic answering. Also, no transferring will be made.

[0153] In Embodiment 7, since an answering message and call originatorID to which the answering is designated are stored to the automaticanswering message memory 22, it is possible in case of users absence torespond to the party at the other end of communication. Further, since atransfer address and call originator ID for designating an answeringoperation are stored to the automatic answering message memory 22, theuser of the apparatus is able to know the content of a message even whenhe/she is absent.

[0154] Embodiment 8

[0155] The construction of Embodiment 8 of the present invention willnow be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a block diagramshowing the construction of Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

[0156] Referring to FIG. 15, a portable radio communication apparatusaccording to Embodiment 8 comprises: an antenna 1; a radio section 2; amodulator-demodulator section 3; a control section 4; a message memory5; an operation section 6; a display section 7; a sound processingsection 8; a microphone 9; a speaker 10; and a timer section 23 formeasuring the current time.

[0157] The above operation section 6 includes a function key section 6a, a 10-key section 6 b and a volume key 6 c.

[0158] In Embodiment 8, by providing the timer section 23, it ispossible to record a received message together with its reception time,to automatically insert time of transmitting operation into thetransmitting message and/or to automatically transmit it at a certainpoint in time.

[0159] Operation of Embodiment 8 of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18.

[0160] First, the case will be described below of recording the receivedmessage together with its reception time.

[0161] In steps 100 to 101, upon a reception of message, the controlsection 4 reads out the current time from the timer section 23. Next, atstep 102, the control section 4 concurrently stores the above read outcurrent time when storing the received message to the message memory 5.Next, at step 103, the control section 4 displays the concurrentlystored current time data as a reception time data when displaying thereceived message on the screen of the display section 7. Accordingly,the reception time of a received message may readily be seen andrecorded.

[0162] Next, the case will be described below of automatically insertingthe time of transmitting operation into a transmitting message.

[0163] In steps 110 to 114, the control section 4 forms a message by anoperation of the FCN key, character key, etc., and, upon pressing of theSEND key, it reads the current time out from the timer section 23. Next,the control section 4 inserts the above read out current time data intothe transmitting message. The control section 4 then transmits thetransmitting message through the modulator-demodulator section 3 andradio section 2. Accordingly, the transmitting time of a transmittingmessage may readily be seen and recorded.

[0164] Further, the case will be described of automatically transmittinga message at a designated time.

[0165] In steps 120 to 122, upon operation of the FCN key, numeral(character) keys, etc., the control section 4 forms a transmittingmessage and at the same time designates a point in time at which themessage is to be transmitted. The control section 4 stores to themessage memory 5 the transmitting message and the designated time fortransmission by an operation of the END key. Next, in steps 123 to 125,the control section 4 periodically reads the current time out from thetimer section 23. Next, the control section 4 effects a collation so assee if the read out current time data matches the designated time fortransmission in the message memory 5. When a match occurs, it transmitsthe relevant transmitting message through the modulator-demodulatorsection 3 and radio section 2. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent afailure in remembering to send a message.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable radio communication apparatuscomprising: an antenna for transmitting/receiving a radio frequencymessage signal; radio/modulator-demodulator means for demodulating areceived radio frequency message signal by converting its frequency andfor modulating a transmitting message signal to effect its frequencyconversion into a radio frequency; message memory means for storingtransmitting/received messages; display means for displaying saidtransmitting/received messages; pre-message memory means for storing aplurality of pre-messages; operation means; and control means forselecting and transmitting any of said plurality of pre-messages by anoperation of said operation means.
 2. A portable radio communicationapparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said pre-message memory meanscomprises a ROM for previously storing a plurality of fixed messages,and wherein, upon an operation of said operation means, said controlmeans selecting any of the plurality of fixed messages stored in saidpre-message memory means while displaying the plurality of fixedmessages on said display means, completing a desired message by addingother messages thereto, and transmitting the desired message.
 3. Aportable radio communication apparatus according to claim 2 , whereinsaid operation means includes: a FCN key capable of calling variousfunctions; an END key serving as a call terminating key; a SEND keyserving as a call originating key; a 10-key; and a volume key; andwherein said control means selecting a fixed message reading mode by anoperation of said FCN key, sequentially displaying on said display meansthe plurality of fixed messages stored in said pre-message memory meansby an operation of said volume key, selecting any of said plurality offixed messages by an operation of said END key, completing a desiredmessage by adding other messages thereto by an operation of said 10-key,and transmitting the completed desired message by an operation of saidSEND key.
 4. A portable radio communication apparatus according to claim1 , wherein said pre-message memory means comprises a RAM capable ofsubsequently storing a plurality of fixed messages, and wherein saidcontrol means sequentially selecting alphabetical characters by anoperation of said operation means to complete a desired fixed messagewhile displaying it on said display means, said control means storingthe desired fixed message to said pre-message memory means.
 5. Aportable radio communication apparatus according to claim 4 , whereinsaid operation means includes: a FCN key capable of calling variousfunctions; an END key serving as a call terminating key; and a 10-key;and wherein said control means selecting a fixed message forming mode byan operation of said FCN key, completing a desired fixed message whiledisplaying it on said display means by sequentially selectingalphabetical characters by an operation of said 10-key, and storing thecomplete desired fixed message to said pre-message memory means by anoperation of said END key.
 6. A portable radio communication apparatuscomprising: an antenna for transmitting/receiving a radio frequencymessage signal; radio/modulator-demodulator means for demodulating areceived radio frequency message signal by converting its frequency andfor modulating a transmitting message signal to effect its frequencyconversion into a radio frequency; message memory means for storingtransmitting/received messages; display means for displaying saidtransmitting/received messages; alphabet memory means for storing aplurality of linguistic alphabets; selection means for selecting apredetermined alphabet; and control means for selecting any of saidplurality of linguistic alphabets by said selection means.
 7. A portableradio communication apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein saidalphabet memory means comprises a ROM for previously storing a pluralityof linguistic alphabets, and wherein said control means causing saiddisplay means to display the names of languages of the plurality oflinguistic alphabets stored in said alphabet memory and selecting andconfirming any of the plurality of linguistic alphabets by saidselection means.
 8. A portable radio communication apparatus accordingto claim 7 , wherein said selection means comprises an operation sectionhaving: a language selecting operation key; an END key serving as a callterminating key; and a volume key; and wherein said control means:selecting a multilingual selecting function mode by an operation of saidlanguage selecting operation key; selecting by an operation of saidvolume key any of a plurality of names of languages corresponding to thelinguistic alphabets stored in said alphabet memory means displayed onsaid display means; and confirming the selected linguistic alphabet byan operation of said END key.
 9. A portable radio communicationapparatus according to claim 6 , wherein said alphabet memory meanscomprises a ROM for previously storing a plurality of linguisticalphabets, and wherein said control means causing said display means todisplay the names of languages of the plurality of linguistic alphabetsstored in said alphabet memory means and selecting and confirming any ofthe plurality of linguistic alphabets by said selection means; andforming a message in said selected language while displaying on saiddisplay means the linguistic alphabet of said selected language name.10. A portable radio communication apparatus according to claim 9 ,wherein said selection means comprises an operation section having: alanguage selecting operation key; an END key serving as a callterminating key; a volume key; and an alphabetic symbol selection key;and wherein said control means: selecting a multilingual selectingfunction mode by an operation of said language selecting operation key;selecting by an operation of said volume key any of a plurality of namesof languages corresponding to the linguistic alphabets stored in saidalphabet memory means displayed on said display means; and confirmingthe selected linguistic alphabet by an operation of said END key; andselecting a character input mode by an operation of said alphabeticsymbol selection key; selecting desired alphabetic letters whiledisplaying on said display means a string of the alphabet of saidselected language name by an operation of said volume key; and forming amessage in said selected language by confirming said selected alphabeticletters by an operation said END key.
 11. A portable radio communicationapparatus according to claim 6 , wherein said alphabet memory meanscomprises a ROM for previously storing a plurality of linguisticalphabets, and wherein said control means inputting a home systeminformation by said selection means and selecting and confirming any ofthe plurality of linguistic alphabets stored in said alphabet memory inaccordance with a nationality-based management table.
 12. A portableradio communication apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein saidselection means comprises an IC card interface section capable ofmounting a subscriber ID card; and wherein said control means inputtingthe home system information from said subscriber ID card through said ICcard interface section, selecting and confirming any of the plurality oflinguistic alphabets stored in said alphabet memory means in accordancewith a nationality information obtained from the home system informationagainst the nationality-based management table, and displaying saidselected language on said display means.
 13. A portable radiocommunication apparatus comprising: an antenna fortransmitting/receiving a radio frequency message signal;radio/modulator-demodulator means for demodulating a received radiofrequency message signal by converting its frequency and for modulatinga transmitting message signal to effect its frequency conversion into aradio frequency; message memory means for storing transmitting/receivedmessages; display means for displaying said transmitting/receivedmessages; message sound converting data memory means for storinginformation necessary for the conversion into a sound of said receivedmessages; sound processing means for outputting said received messagesin their form being converted into sounds; operation means; and controlmeans for selecting and transferring to said message sound convertingdata memory means any of said received messages by an operation of saidoperation means.
 14. A portable radio communication apparatus accordingto claim 13 , wherein said operation means includes: a FCN key capableof calling various functions; a volume key; and a message sound outputstarting key; and wherein said control means: selecting a receivedmessage display mode by an operation of said FCN key; sequentiallydisplaying on said display means and selecting any of a plurality ofreceived messages stored in said message memory means by an operation ofsaid volume key; and converting said selected received message into asound data based on table conversion of said message sound convertingdata memory means by an operation of said message sound output startingkey, said sound data being decoded by said sound processing means andbeing output as sounds.
 15. A portable radio communication apparatuscomprising: an antenna for transmitting/receiving a radio frequencymessage signal; radio/modulator-demodulator means for demodulating areceived radio frequency message signal by converting its frequency andfor modulating a transmitting message signal to effect its frequencyconversion into a radio frequency; message memory means for storingtransmitting/received messages; display means for displaying saidtransmitting/received messages; automatic answering message memory meansfor storing at least a plurality of IDs; operation means; and controlmeans for selecting an automatic answering mode by an operation of saidoperation means when the user is absent and for automatically answeringwhen a match occurs between an ID in the received message and an ID insaid automatic answering message memory means.
 16. A portable radiocommunication apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein said automaticanswering message memory means stores a registered call originator IDand an answering message corresponding to the registered call originatorID, and wherein said control means transmitting the answering messagecorresponding to said registered call originator ID when a match occursbetween a call originator ID in the received message and the registeredcall originator ID in said automatic answering message memory means. 17.A portable radio communication apparatus according to claim 16 , whereinsaid operation means includes: a FCN key capable of calling variousfunctions; an END key serving as a call terminating key; and a 10-key;and wherein said control means selecting an automatic answering messageforming mode by an operation of said FCN key, forming an answeringmessage and inputting a registered call originator ID by an operation ofsaid 10-key, storing said formed answering message and correspondingregistered call originator ID to said automatic answering message memorymeans by an operation of said END key; and wherein said control meansselecting an automatic answering mode for users absence by an operationof said FCN key, and transmitting the answering message corresponding tosaid registered call originator ID when a match occurs between the calloriginator ID in the received message and the registered call originatorID in said automatic answering message memory means.
 18. A portableradio communication apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein saidautomatic answering message memory means stores a registered calloriginator ID and a transfer address corresponding to the ID; andwherein said control means transfers said received message to thetransfer address corresponding to said registered call originator IDwhen a match occurs between the call originator ID in the receivedmessage and the registered call originator ID in said automaticanswering message memory means.
 19. A portable radio communicationapparatus according to claim 18 , wherein said operation means includes:a FCN key capable of calling various functions; an END key serving as acall terminating key; and a 10-key; and wherein said control meansselecting an automatic answering message forming mode by an operation ofsaid FCN key, forming a transfer address and inputting a registered calloriginator ID by an operation of said 10-key, and storing said formedtransfer address and corresponding registered call originator ID to saidautomatic answering message memory means by an operation of said ENDkey; and wherein said control means selecting an automatic answeringmode for users absence by an operation of said FCN key, and transferringsaid received message to the transfer address corresponding to saidregistered call originator ID when a match occurs between the calloriginator ID in the received message and the registered call originatorID in said automatic answering message memory means.
 20. A portableradio communication apparatus comprising: an antenna fortransmitting/receiving a radio frequency message signal;radio/modulator-demodulator means for demodulating a received radiofrequency message signal by converting its frequency and for modulatinga transmitting message signal to effect its frequency conversion into aradio frequency; message memory means for storing transmitting/receivedmessages; display means for displaying said transmitting/receivedmessages; timer means for measuring the current time; and control meansfor managing said current time.
 21. A portable radio communicationapparatus according to claim 20 , wherein said control means storing thecurrent time read out from said timer means together with a receivedmessage as a reception time data when storing the received message tosaid message memory means, and displaying said reception time data whendisplaying said received message on said display means.
 22. A portableradio communication apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein saidcontrol means forming a transmitting message and inserting the currenttime read out from said timer means into said transmitting message as atransmitting time data when transmitting said transmitting message. 23.A portable radio communication apparatus according to claim 20 , whereinsaid control means forming a transmitting message, storing a designatedtime for transmission together with the formed message when storing theformed message to said message memory means, and transmitting saidtransmitting message when a match occurs between the current time readout from said timer means and the designated time for transmission addedto said transmitting message.